Sitting in lockdown for most of the past year, it’s safe to say all of us have had time to reflect on our health and wellbeing on a level we may not have explored before. Though we have all experienced heartache and worry during these unprecedented times, we have also experienced bouts of inspiration. We have cooked brave recipes, we have walked new paths, we have stood arms wide open in the garden and breathed deeply; recalling the taste of freedom that was so easily taken for granted. A huge light has been shone on our health and wellbeing, and many of us have felt motivated to take our welfare into our own hands. Let’s keep that healthy fire burning with some sea-inspired self-care! In Cornwall we are blessed to live our daily lives alongside the sea. We know that many of you are missing your trips down to the South West Coast, so until we meet again – and we surely will – we’ve put together 3 sea-inspired wellbeing tips for those missing Cornwall in lockdown.

Many of us have become more creative cooks in the last year. With more time on our hands to get stuck in, there has never been a better time to get inspired in the kitchen. But have you ever tried cooking with seaweed? If not, you’re missing a trick. An unconventional ingredient that’s growing in popularity, seaweed has been used for centuries for its healing properties as well as a key food source. Depending on the type, seaweed is proven to provide a rich source of calcium, iodine, copper, zinc, potassium, fibre, protein and many other vitamins and minerals.

The best part about all this? You can now buy proper Cornish seaweed as a cooking ingredient thanks to The Cornish Seaweed Company. Their cookbook will show you what to cook and how, with loads of information on their website, too. A must-try for all sea lovers, creative cooks, health buffs, mermaids and those missing Cornwall. From sea-kelp martinis to sea-spaghetti pasties, put a piece of Cornwall in your diet. Not only will you be making scrumptious dishes, you’ll reap the nutritional benefits of a superfood proven to have more vitamins and minerals than ANY other food source. Check out their website here.

As we all know, self-care is both an inside and an outside job. If you’re bringing Cornwall to the kitchen, why not bring it to the shower, too?! With all the nutrient-rich and antioxidant benefits of seaweed, we suggest adding it to your diet AND your skincare routine. Check out the Cornish Seaweed Bath Co. for hand-crafted skincare products inspired by (and made from) the coast. From facial oils to hand sanitizers, find their website here and add a dose of the sea to your ablutions.

If you’re looking for the softest skin in the land, get your hands on a soap bar by Cornish Mermaid. Handmade in the heart of the idyllic Cornish countryside, these soaps smell divine and lather beautifully. They also promise healthier, more moisturized skin. Buy yours here.

So now you’re not only eating Cornwall but bathing in it, too! And all from the comfort of your own home! We hope you feel closer already! The next step, sound…

If you’re a Cornwall-lover, we probably don’t need to say much to convince you of the health benefits of the sea. The sound of the sea is actually a form of white noise. This creates a calming effect on the brain and an uplifting feeling in the soul. We’re sure you’ll agree that a calm mind is worth its weight in gold right now! We hope it won’t be much longer until you can come and listen to the waves rolling in for yourself. Until then, we recommend this 7-hour video of waves crashing against the rocks on the North shore of Holywell Bay. Sit by an open window, close your eyes and play it on a loop…

We hope these 3 sea-inspired wellbeing tips for those missing Cornwall in lockdown have re-ignited your passion for the ocean. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – we miss you – and we can’t wait to welcome you back soon. For now though, stay safe, stay sane and keep dreaming of the sea.